Pimp my ride: Tricked-out cars no longer just for rich

Pimp my ride: Tricked-out cars no longer just for rich (Chicago Tribune)
Soon, your new car will be more entertaining and informative than your best friend. In addition to playing your favorite songs, your car will find parking spaces, identify upcoming traffic jams and tell you how to drive around them, and pay tolls, eliminating the need for road-clogging tollbooths.

Top Sport Utilities on MSN Autos
The most popular sport-utility vehicles on MSN Autos, based on visits to the site's vehicle research pages during the third quarter of 2005.
compiled by MSN Autos

Booklet harkens back to quieter days in Carbondale (Southern Illinoisan)
These days Carbondale is a bustling city with so many cars, trucks and SUVs moving through it that the main thoroughfares - Main and Walnut streets, Illinois and University avenues - have been committed to one-way traffic.

Yes, they're Volvos - but not as you know them (Independent Online)
Volvo US has revealed two startling concept cars at the 2005 Specialty Equipment Market Association (Sema) trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada to continue a trend established in recent years.

In Paris suburbs, anger won't cool (International Herald Tribune) The

In Paris suburbs, anger won't cool (International Herald Tribune)
The deputy imam of the Clichy-sous-Bois mosque that was tear-gassed by the police on Sunday, demonstrating how worshipers at midday prayers Thursday still suffered ill effects from the substance. Local Muslims say there is no one left with any sway over the rioting youths.

Step up to the plate (Nashville City Paper)
Some of America s favorite pastimes baseball, cool cars and food combine at the Platter Up! Fine Food and Fun Cars fund-raiser Saturday at the Lane Motor Museum.

Elizabethtown Brings Road Tripping into the 21st Century (The Auto Channel)
October 27, 2005 -- How cool is this? You are driving down the highway listening to custom CD s with road-appropriate music and information about what to see.

Booklet harkens back to quieter days in Carbondale (Southern Illinoisan)
These days Carbondale is a bustling city with so many cars, trucks and SUVs moving through it that the main thoroughfares - Main and Walnut streets, Illinois and University avenues - have been committed to one-way traffic.

Going with the fold (The Daily News Tribune)
NEWTON -- Corey Cominitz stood in the middle of his room surrounded by paper figurines of cars, animals and even a green Yoda.

Frankfurt Motor Show Favorites
Public days for this huge auto show run through September 25, and concept cars continue to be a big draw. Our editors pick their ten favorites.
Editors of MSN Autos

Porsche Cayman S Premieres
The largest show in Europe, the Frankfurt show featured worldwide premieres of 80 concept and production vehicles.
Editors of MSN Autos

Classic Cars & Cool Customs At The Good Guys Show. (Culver City News)
Got the hots for a Hemi? Wild for a woodie? Feeling fine for a 409? Wanna catch a fun fling with a lot of bling bling? Then this widely-popular event will quench your thirst for that hot rod action. The California car culture will once again boost an old-fashioned rodder's party, parade and show.

family time (Star-Gazette) With chanting, break dancing, sideways baseball hats

family time (Star-Gazette)
With chanting, break dancing, sideways baseball hats and a young actor playing scientist Isaac Newton, Honeywell International and NASA are telling middle-school students it's cool to study science.

Climate change linked to rise in malaria, asthma (USA Today)
Climate change may promote the spread of deadly diseases like malaria and asthma in both rich and poor countries by increasing the range of parasitic insects and whipping up dust from storms, a new report says.

Pimp my ride: Tricked-out cars no longer just for rich (Chicago Tribune)
Soon, your new car will be more entertaining and informative than your best friend. In addition to playing your favorite songs, your car will find parking spaces, identify upcoming traffic jams and tell you how to drive around them, and pay tolls, eliminating the need for road-clogging tollbooths.

Step up to the plate (Nashville City Paper)
Some of America s favorite pastimes baseball, cool cars and food combine at the Platter Up! Fine Food and Fun Cars fund-raiser Saturday at the Lane Motor Museum.

The Auto Aftermarket Is No Afterthought (BusinessWeek Online via Yahoo!

The Auto Aftermarket Is No Afterthought (BusinessWeek Online via Yahoo! UK & Ireland Finance)
At this year's version of the industry's big trade show it's clear that the boom in adding custom parts to cars and SUVs is accelerating

Classic Cars & Cool Customs At The Good Guys Show. (Culver City News)
Got the hots for a Hemi? Wild for a woodie? Feeling fine for a 409? Wanna catch a fun fling with a lot of bling bling? Then this widely-popular event will quench your thirst for that hot rod action. The California car culture will once again boost an old-fashioned rodder's party, parade and show.

America's Most Loved New Vehicles
Discover which new cars and trucks Americans love the most . . .
Editors of MSN Autos

Museum exhibit melds science and fiction of Star Wars (USA Today)
Light-years still separate science from fiction in George Lucas' six-film epic about the galactic battle between good and evil, but a new exhibit at Boston's Museum of Science tries to show that the fantasies of Star Wars aren't all far-fetched and some are getting less so with each passing year.

Climate change linked to rise in malaria, asthma (RedNova)
By Timothy Gardner NEW YORK (Reuters) - Climate change may promote the spread of deadly diseases like malaria and asthma in both rich and poor countries by increasing the range of parasitic insects and whipping up dust from storms, a new report says. As climates warm, malaria is becoming more common in the traditionally cool mountains of Africa, Asia and Latin America where 10 percent of the

Climate change linked to rise in malaria, asthma (USA Today)
Climate change may promote the spread of deadly diseases like malaria and asthma in both rich and poor countries by increasing the range of parasitic insects and whipping up dust from storms, a new report says.

Lowest-Priced New Vehicles for 2006
Low price doesn't mean skimping on safety equipment anymore; some lowest-priced new cars include six standard airbags.
Ann Job

New Jeep Concepts
Two concept vehicles, unveiled at Europe's largest auto show, provide a peek into the future of DaimlerChrysler's Jeep brand.
Editors of MSN Autos

Kid star stays in overdrive (USATODAY.com via Yahoo! News)
Forget The Ivy or Skybar. When movie star Josh Hutcherson is in L.A., his favorite hot spot is Gizmo's, a small hobby shop where he buys parts for his collection of miniature remote-controlled racers.

2005 Frankfurt Motor ShowMSN Autos brings you highlights from one

2005 Frankfurt Motor Show
MSN Autos brings you highlights from one of Europe's major shows.
Editors of MSN Autos

Hybrids Are Hot
Automakers that used to downplay the viability of gasoline-electric hybrids are now embracing them.
Ann Job

The Auto Aftermarket Is No Afterthought (BusinessWeek Online via Yahoo! UK & Ireland Finance)
At this year's version of the industry's big trade show it's clear that the boom in adding custom parts to cars and SUVs is accelerating

Climate change linked to rise in malaria, asthma (RedNova)
By Timothy Gardner NEW YORK (Reuters) - Climate change may promote the spread of deadly diseases like malaria and asthma in both rich and poor countries by increasing the range of parasitic insects and whipping up dust from storms, a new report says. As climates warm, malaria is becoming more common in the traditionally cool mountains of Africa, Asia and Latin America where 10 percent of the

Volvo Unveils Two Hot New Concepts at the 2005 SEMA

Volvo Unveils Two Hot New Concepts at the 2005 SEMA Show (The Auto Channel)
LAS VEGAS, Oct. 31, 2005 -- Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (VCNA) will pull the wraps off two exciting new concept cars at the 2005 Specialty Equipment Market Association tradeshow in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Climate change linked to rise in malaria, asthma (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
Climate change may promote the spread of deadly diseases like malaria and asthma in both rich and poor countries by increasing the range of parasitic insects and whipping up dust from storms, a new report says.

BURIED PLEASURES (New York Post's PageSix via Yahoo! News)
AS New Yorkers go about their mundane daily business, strange things are happening around them. When you walk through Midtown, under your feet runs the world's largest subterranean steam network, which pumps steam from seven generating plants into buildings like the United Nations and the Empire State Building. When you're stuck in traffic on the Cross Bronx Expressway, your progress is being

Mexico City: This Week in Ford Racing (Motorsport.com)
Sebastien Bourdais heads into this weekend's race in Mexico City as the 2005 Champ Car World Series Champion.

Tops in Vehicle Satisfaction
Nissan models are big winners in this annual vehicle satisfaction study.
Editors of MSN Autos

New diamond in an old setting (San Diego Union-Tribune)
ACAPULCO, Mexico – Most Americans gave up on once-famed Acapulco Bay a long time ago.

Lowest-Priced New Vehicles for 2006
Low price doesn't mean skimping on safety equipment anymore; some lowest-priced new cars include six standard airbags.
Ann Job

Drive With Patience, Cross With Caution (Poly Post)
A slight chill runs up my spine as commuter traffic speeding down Temple Avenue casts a cool breeze onto my face on an already cold Thursday morning. The speed limit is 45 mph, but as the traffic clears a few lone drivers don t seem to care. One motorcycle passes as if he were in a street race.

Frankfurt Motor Show Favorites
Public days for this huge auto show run through September 25, and concept cars continue to be a big draw. Our editors pick their ten favorites.
Editors of MSN Autos

Businessman Offers Alternate Blake Theory (AP via Yahoo! News)
A businessman testified Monday that he tried to alert authorities to an alternate theory of who killed actor Robert Blake's wife, but his story apparently was discounted.

The Auto Aftermarket Is No Afterthought (BusinessWeek) At this year's

The Auto Aftermarket Is No Afterthought (BusinessWeek)
At this year's version of the industry's big trade show it's clear that the boom in adding custom parts to cars and SUVs is accelerating

Basra explosion kills 20 among festive crowds (Guardian Unlimited)
At least 20 people were killed in the southern Iraqi city of Basra last night after a car bomb went off in a market area packed with festive crowds visiting restaurants and enjoying the cool of one of the last evenings of the holy month of Ramadan.

The Pope's Escort Sells for $690,000 (Luxist)
If the question of which Pope, the late John Paul II or the current Pope, Benedict XVI, was ever in question it could be settled by checking out which of their old cars brought in the most money. John Paul II s 1975 Ford Escort brought in a cool $690,000 in Las Vegas this weekend (the current Pope s VW Golf sold for $244,000 earlier this year). It was good news for owner Jim Rich who had

Atlanta II: Winning team interview, part 1 (Motorsport.com)
CARL EDWARDS: "The car was just unbelievable. We started the day out and we were just a little bit free and some other cars had their act together right from the beginning, most notably Dale Jr. He really set the bar really far up there, so we worked on our car a little bit.

Outrageous gifts (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Ritzy rides Nothing to do with your $450,000? Try the Mercedes-Benz SLR. Want to go from zero to 60 in 2.6 seconds? Check out these and other cars. Homes for sale Win the lottery? Got a few million dollars to burn? Give one of these metro homes as a gift.

Drive With Patience, Cross With Caution (Poly Post)
A slight chill runs up my spine as commuter traffic speeding down Temple Avenue casts a cool breeze onto my face on an already cold Thursday morning. The speed limit is 45 mph, but as the traffic clears a few lone drivers don t seem to care. One motorcycle passes as if he were in a street race.

Preview: 2006 Ford Fusion
Ford's most important sedan launch since the Taurus.
Perry Stern

Businessman Offers Alternate Blake Theory (AP via Yahoo! News)
A businessman testified Monday that he tried to alert authorities to an alternate theory of who killed actor Robert Blake's wife, but his story apparently was discounted.

Hybrids Are Hot
Automakers that used to downplay the viability of gasoline-electric hybrids are now embracing them.
Ann Job

Volvo Unveils Two Hot New Concepts at the 2005 SEMA Show (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC will pull the wraps off two exciting new concept cars at the 2005 Specialty Equi

US spending up on storm payouts (BBC News) US consumers

US spending up on storm payouts (BBC News)
US consumers increase their spending by 0.5% in September, boosted by hurricane insurance payouts.

Thousands Honor Woman of Courage (Washington Post) With reverence and

Thousands Honor Woman of Courage (Washington Post)
With reverence and a deep sense of indebtedness, the nation's capital last night began its simple but dignified farewell for Rosa Parks, the humble woman whose courageous act 50 years ago led to the breakdown of racial segregation in the United States. A massive crowd of people of all ages, colors...

The Pope's Escort Sells for $690,000 (Luxist)
If the question of which Pope, the late John Paul II or the current Pope, Benedict XVI, was ever in question it could be settled by checking out which of their old cars brought in the most money. John Paul II s 1975 Ford Escort brought in a cool $690,000 in Las Vegas this weekend (the current Pope s VW Golf sold for $244,000 earlier this year). It was good news for owner Jim Rich who had

New Jeep Concepts
Two concept vehicles, unveiled at Europe's largest auto show, provide a peek into the future of DaimlerChrysler's Jeep brand.
Editors of MSN Autos

Porsche Cayman S PremieresThe largest show in Europe, the Frankfurt

Porsche Cayman S Premieres
The largest show in Europe, the Frankfurt show featured worldwide premieres of 80 concept and production vehicles.
Editors of MSN Autos

Another vehicle recall... (Autoblog)
The auto industry is just plagued by recalls these days and it extends past the traditional manufacturers. Dorel Juvenille Group, makers of those little battery-powered cars available for children, is voluntarily recalling about 141,000 vehicles due to an electronic malfunction that can occur the car s circuit board melts and melts the surrounding components, causing a fire hazard.

Finally, cool, comforting ice (Miami Herald)
The government ice started flowing Wednesday, not enough of it or quickly enough at some South Florida sites, but enough to cool some of the frustration of the previous day.

Williams beat system with gutsy formula (Chicago Sun-Times)
They pulled into the parking lot one-by-one, through a gantlet of fans held back by temporary fences and security guards. The fans were there for just a glimpse, as the White Sox players got out of their cars and walked past them in street clothes and sunglasses, waved, nodded.

Cool Waste Of Time - Where Are All The Monowheels? (The Mac Observer)
If questions like "where have all the one-wheel car/conveyance/thingees been hidden?" keep you up at night, we have the answer in this installment of A Cool Waste of Time

Tops in Vehicle Satisfaction
Nissan models are big winners in this annual vehicle satisfaction study.
Editors of MSN Autos

A stormy week leaves us scrambled and fried (Sun-Sentinel)
On Monday, Hurricane Wilma's winds howled and whistled. On Tuesday, generators droned through the cool night air, invading open windows and ears. On Wednesday, children laughed as they enjoyed an extended holiday, playing in the streets.

It's just a game . . . or is it?

It's just a game . . . or is it? (Miami Herald)
The hero is a troubled kid who is bullied while negotiating the social trials of middle school. He bullies back and beats classmates and even teachers.

Hybrids Are Hot
Automakers that used to downplay the viability of gasoline-electric hybrids are now embracing them.
Ann Job

Strategy Could Work (Tampa Bay Online Sports)
Knaus is smart and calculating, and he might be onto something. Stewart leads his driver by only 15 points, and with both having fast cars and strong teams, the championship could come down to who gains a mental advantage.